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TWO EMSB INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS TO EXPERIENCE FIRST-EVER CANADIENS HOCKEY GAME

MONTREAL, JANUARY 5, 2016 – Two international students from the English Montreal School Board (EMSB), one from China and the other from Libya, will have the opportunity to see their first ever professional hockey game Wednesday evening, January 6 when the Canadiens host the New Jersey Devils at the Bell Centre.

Manqi Liang and Monder Alzidani are enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Program at Marymount Academy International in NDG in Grades 10 and 11 respectively.

Both students admit that they never followed hockey in their respective native countries because it was a sport that was never popular nor regularly played there. However, they are looking forward to seeing for the first time the fast-paced excitement of an NHL hockey game, and will quickly discover why hockey is Canada’s national sport, and is also a way of life in their adopted hometown of Montreal, where they have been living for the past two years.

“All I know about hockey is that it’s a game that you play on the ice,” said Monder. “In order to win, you have to score the most number of goals into the net. I am feeling really excited to go to the Bell Centre and watch a live hockey game there.”

Upon graduation from Marymount Academy International, Manqui plans on staying in Montreal until 2020, and Monder is considering a move to Toronto, where they plan to continue their education, as well as their newly-found appreciation for the sport of hockey.

The two students will be attending the game with their teacher Michael Bunn courtesy of CTV Montreal, which provided the tickets in the Club Desjardins section.